Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It was kind, and I want to apologize to you for snapping back about the David Berkowitz post you sent me.
I agree with your sentiments and objections completely. They were my own at one time, and it took me approx. 15 years to construct what I call my 'personal testimony.' And I still have doubts and elements of confusion. There's like a shelf in my mind where I set these, waiting for more life experiences and study to lead me to a conclusion. I've also reached the point in my life where I just don't feel a need to understand everything. There's enough in Christianity, as well as Mormonism, to hang my hat on.
For a long time, my advice to anyone would be to absolutely start first trying to nail down whether God is real.
Not the anthropomorphic version of God in the OT who smites and all, but a more encompassing God as a force of nature. IMO, the Bible as well as which church to possibly join should, for the most part, be put on ice.
Since you mentioned believing in a higher power we can tap into, it sounds like you are already into a spiritual journey. It can, imo, be a long journey, fed by lots of solitary retreats into prayer and then patiently listening.
In terms of length, one of my favorites is Count Leo Tolstoy. Born into wealth and highly educated, he decided at the age of 12 that there was no God. But something kept pulling at him, and he worked through all his doubts. It took 38 years, but at the age of 50 he became so certain and so inspired that he freed all his serfs, taught them to read, and gave them land to work.
And back to David Berkowitz, I really do owe you a big apology because you gave me a gift and I didn't know it until this weekend. I've always been interested in conversion stories--how a particular person went from no or little faith to conviction--plus I support prison ministries. I had no idea about Berkowitz! So I spent several hours reading his conversion story. Also, his journals and a few interviews. I wanted to hear his voice and watch his face. FWIW, I think he's the real deal. He's tapped into the power and is now in the process of redemption by working in the prison ministry and blogging. I've got him bookmarked now and intend to follow his efforts to steer people away from making the enormous mistake he did. So thank you again.
ariseandshine.org
:)
Kate |
